The president of Egypt last night declared that he is ‘fed up and wants to go’ as bloody clashes continued in Cairo.
But Hosni Mubarak said he would not resign immediately – because he feared there would be ‘chaos’.
His remarks came as pro-government mobs targeted Western journalists and human rights activists near Tahrir Square, the centre of the protests.
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Fed up: Egyptian President Hosni Mabarak has said in a television interview that he wants to leave his office but fears what will happen if he does so
Mob: These anti-Mubarak protesters attack this unarmed pro-Mubarak supporter with a knife and metal poll on the streets on Cairo
Praying for peace: With a tank standing alongside them, these Muslim women pray during a break in the mass demonstrations against Mr Mubarak
Several were punched, their equipment smashed – and one was stabbed in the leg with a screwdriver.
There were reports the army was rounding up foreign cameramen and correspondents. A Greek man was reported to have died in the clashes.
Fears were growing that tourists could be next in line as Britain and other Western countries urgently evacuated their citizens. Last night 180 Britons flew out of Cairo on a specially chartered Foreign Office plane. As many as 25,000 remain.
Egypt yesterday pointed the finger at ‘foreign agendas’ for fuelling the protests.
Fury: Egyptian soldiers restrain a protester who tried to get to opposition lines near Tahrir Square in Cairo
Eye of the storm: Protesters gather in Cairo's main square amid fresh clashes between anti- and pro-government supporter
Vice president Omar Suleiman said: ‘When there are demonstrations of this size, there will be foreigners who come and take advantage and they have an agenda to raise the energy of the protesters.’
Last night Egyptian TV reported that Israeli spies were in the country posing as journalists.
Mr Suleiman dismissed mounting international calls – including from Britain – for President Mubarak to step down immediately.
Mr Mubarak himself said last night: ‘I am fed up. After 62 years in public service, I have had enough. I want to go. If I resign today there will be chaos.’
Stand-off: Anti-government protesters (bottom) hold their position amid escalating chaos
Restraint: Egyptian army soldiers try to stop pro-government demonstrators from approaching Cairo's Tahrir Square
Detained: A pro-Mubarak supporter is carried away by Egyptian soldiers after he was restrained and tied up by the soldiers during clashes with anti-Mubarak protesters
He told ABC News he was distressed by the violence in Cairo between his supporters and the reformist campaigners.
‘I was very unhappy about yesterday,’ he said. ‘I do not want to see Egyptians fighting each other.’
He added: ‘I don’t care what people say about me. Right now I care about my country. I care about Egypt.’
Safe haven: Egyptians take a rest at a mosque turned into a makeshift emergency treatment centre
He also warned President Obama: ‘You don’t understand the Egyptian culture and what would happen if I step down now.’
He vowed to remain in his country until his death. ‘I will die on this soil,’ he said.
There could be further clashes today after prayers. Supporters from both sides have pledged to march.
Preparations: Anti-government protesters bring stones to throw at supporters of President Hosni Mubarak
At one stage yesterday it had appeared the military had finally decided to end the violence that has left at least 12 dead and more than 900 wounded in 48 hours.
Soldiers pushed back pro-government attackers and took up positions between the two sides while an army tank moved against Mubarak supporters as they hurled rocks, prompting cheers.
The Mubarak loyalists fled when the tank turned its turret towards them, then regrouped nearby.
Eventually the soldiers stepped aside allowing clashes to resume.
An injured pro-Mubarak supporter is detained by anti-government demonstators at an underground metro station after being rounded up
Aftermath: Protesters carry a suspected plain clothes policeman for treatment after he was hit by a rock
The anti-Mubarak protesters, who had claimed ‘Victory’ after driving the president’s men from the square, appeared dominated by a youthful hardcore including secular middle-class graduates and mostly poorer Islamist activists.
A large number had the trimmed beards of Islamic conservatives, a sign of how the Muslim Brotherhood movement is playing a major role in the fight.
U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said last night: ‘I urge the government and a broad and credible representation of Egypt’s opposition, civil society and political factions to begin immediately serious negotiations on a peaceful and orderly transition.’
THE MANY WAYS TO PROTECT YOUR HEAD IN A FIGHT WITH STONES
Desperate times call for desperate measures. The anti-Mubarak protesters in Tahrir Square have resorted to a variety of headgear - at times comical - to protect themselves in the pitched battle against President Mubarak's thugs.
Stones are the preferred weapon in this Old Testament-style fight within the Egyptian capital and the protesters have made use of whatever lies closest to hand.
There's the man with a saucepan on his head, another with what looks like a latticed litter basket - so he can still see where the rocks are coming from - and another with a piece of styrofoam tied with a scarf to the top of his head.
In Yemen, one protester was even more inventive - he created a makeshift helmet with two baguettes, a chapatti and clingfilm.
